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Important Information Regarding Property Tax Payments

On 04/06/2020, Governor Polis granted further authority to the Treasurer and Public Trustee's Office to waive interest on the first half real property tax payment (which was due 03/02/2020), so long as the taxpayer pays that first half on or before 04/30/2020.  (A prior Executive Order granted authority to the Treasurer and Public Trustee to waive interest through 04/20/2020).  The language of the current Executive Order follows (and a hyperlink to the full Executive Order is here):

Excerpt from Governor Polis’ 04/06/2020 Order:

2. Replace Paragraph II.I (of the 03/21/2020 Executive Order) with the following:

I authorize the County Treasurers of the State of Colorado to take action to suspend or waive delinquent interest through April 30, 2020 that may accrue pursuant to the provisions of C.R.S. § 39-10-104.5 as a result of delinquent tax payments.  I further authorize county treasurers to accept multiple payments from any taxpayer ahead of payment deadlines and encourage any taxpayer to make second-installment payments ahead of the June 15 deadline established in C.R.S. § 39-10-104.5(2). Any action by a Treasurer to waive delinquent interest shall be made with advance notice to any entity that imposes a mill levy within the county and shall be made available on the Treasurer’s website, electronic mail, or automated messages. This Executive Order does not authorize County Treasurers to waive delinquent interest pursuant to the provisions of C.R.S. § 39-10-104.5 that accrues after April 30, 2020.
(Emphasis in bold is added here by the Treasurer).

Press Release

For Immediate Release:
June 29, 2020

Contact:
Lisa L. Culpepper, Adams County Treasurer and Public Trustee [email protected]
720.523.6160

Governor Signs Bill Allowing Counties to Temporarily Waive Interest on Property Tax Payments
Adams County Board of County Commissioners Approves in Public Meeting
Supporting Waivers through July 2020

Brighton, CO (June 29th) – The Adams County Treasurer continues to waive interest charges on delinquent payments through the end of July 2020.

By working closely with state legislators and county treasurers from Jefferson, Boulder, Summit County, and Eagle County, the bill was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis on June 14, 2020. The Treasurer, with new statutory authority, immediately approved the continuing waiver for all of Adams County taxpayers.

The approval by the Board of County Commissioners today is a clear continuing endorsement by the Adams County BoCC.  Such endorsement was made clear by their voice on the record in the Public Meeting today.

The Treasurer made clear that her approval of waiving interest is limited; interest will again be due and owing for any taxpayer who has not paid in full their real property or business personal property tax on or before July 31, 2020.  This is a window of opportunity being provided to the taxpayers of Adams County to pay their taxes interest-free in the wake of the COVID pandemic.

The Adams County Treasurer will continue, with her colleague Treasurers in Summit, Jefferson, Boulder, and Eagle, to work with the state legislature to remove very old restrictions on the constitutionally elected county treasurers’ authorities from statutes.  While, as Summit County Treasurer Ryne Scholl stated, the county treasurers’ “…authority granted in” Colorado House Bill 20-1421 “to implement [tax collections] strategy will sunset in 2020”, many county treasurers, including Adams County Treasurer Culpepper, will continue advocating for the constitutional authority of the County Treasurer to more closely align with the Colorado Constitution, and to work with county taxpayers on payment plans and interest waivers.

Culpepper’s office is encouraging the Adams County taxpayers to submit payment as soon as possible, and to not wait until July 31. The collection of property taxes is vital to the funding of daily operations of the county; for funding Fire protection and response; and, to continue the operations of water/sanitation services (amongst other services provided) in Adams County.

The policy is open to anyone but does not extend to accounts where the taxes are remitted by a mortgage company through a taxpayer’s escrow account or by a title company as part of a real estate closing.

Payment and interest information is available by calling the Treasurer’s office at 720.523.6160, or by email at [email protected].

About the Adams County Treasurer: The Adams County Treasurer collects all Adams County revenues on behalf of the County and all government entities which use property tax as a source of revenue. The Treasurer also functions as the County’s bank: Receiving, investing, and, disbursing monies in accordance with the Colorado Constitution and state statute. The Adams County Treasurer is a constitutional office, and the incumbent of the position is elected by the voters of Adams County.  The Treasurer elected position is currently held by Lisa L. Culpepper.

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Support Resources for Colorado Businesses During COVID-19

Message from Jena M. Griswold, Colorado Secretary of State

En español

My Fellow Coloradans, 
 
COVID-19’s impact on Colorado has been widespread and its effects on the Colorado business community have been particularly profound. Many businesses are faced with finding ways to pay employees and expenses in the face of this major economic interruption.

Last week, the U.S. Congress passed a $2 trillion economic stimulus package called the CARES Act.  It includes resources to help Colorado’s small businesses experiencing economic harm. A key portion of this Act is the Paycheck Protection Program, which allocates $349 billion in forgivable loans to help small businesses, independent contractors, and nonprofits meet payroll and rent needs. Businesses can begin applying for the loans on Friday, which will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.  I strongly encourage you to review this federal program to see how this important economic resource can help your business.

The first step in accessing these forgivable loans is to prepare the materials necessary to apply. That includes confirming your eligibility, gathering the necessary records (payroll, rent, utilities, tax and bank records), and estimating the eligible amount of your forgivable loan. For more resources, including information on SBA Economic Injury Disaster Loans, SBA Express Bridge Loans, Small Business Emergency EIDL Grants, Small Business Debt Relief, and much more, please visit: choosecolorado.com/covid19 

To access the Paycheck Protection Program application, click here.  Small Business Development Center representatives are available to answer your questions through the COVID Economic Hotline at (303) 860-5881.
Everyone at the Colorado’s Secretary of State’s Office is committed to keeping you informed and connected as we face this shared challenge. 
 
Sincerely,
Jena M. Griswold
Secretary of State